Container



Dec. 31, 1968 D. E. LlPFERT ET AL 3,419,176

CONTAINER ept. 12, '1967 Sheet INVENTOR'S' DONALD E. L/PFE/PT FRANK J. DANIELS WILLFRED GOLDSCHMIDT ATTORNEY Dec. 31, 1968 P E T ETAL 3,419,176

CONTAINER Filed Sept. 12. 1967 Sheet of 5 INVENTORS.

DONALD E. L/PFERT FRANK J. DANIELS W/LLFRED GOLDSCHM/DT BY ZUW ATTORNEY Dec. 31, 1968 D. E. LIPFERT ETAL 3,419,176

CONTAINER Sheet 3 of 3 Filed Sept. 12. 1967 FIG '6 7NVENTORS.'

DONALD E. L/PFERT FRANK J. DANIELS W/LLFRED GOLDSCHM/DT BY 2M Mdw ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,419,176 CONTAINER Donald E. Lipfert, Woolwich, Maine, and Frank J. Daniels, Baldwin, and Willfred Goldschmidt, Syossct, N .Y., assignors to Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation, a corporation of Virginia Filed Sept. 12, 1967, Ser. No. 667,130 6 Claims. (Cl. 220-23.4)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure teaches a novel container characterized in that a plurality of these containers are adapted to be nested when empty and a plurality of the containers are adapted to be assembled in interlocking relationship when covered.

It is highly desirable to develop a simple economical container having features rendering it suitable for field use in the storage and handling of various commodities, a container which is suitable for handling and stacking when full and a container which simultaneously is economical for return and reuse.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a novel container which has the foregoing features and which at the same time may be readily and economically fabricated.

Further objects and advantages of the container of the present invention will appear from the ensuing specification.

It has now been found that a novel container is provided in accordance with the present invention which achieves the foregoing objects. The container of the present invention is characterized as follows:

(A) A body portion having a generally square base, a generally octagonal open mouth larger than said base and side walls which diverge slightly from said base toward said open mouth;

(B) A generally octagonal cover adapted to be secured to said open mouth; and

(C) A plurality of said containers being adapted to be nested when empty and a plurality of said containers being adapted to be assembled in interlocking relationship when covered.

In addition to the foregoing, the containers of the present invention preferably includes a protuberance adjacent said base defining a groove, and a rim circumscribing said open mouth, said rim having a downwardly projecting flange adapted to interfit said groove. The octagonal cover preferably has a downwardly projecting annular peripheral portion adapted to be firmly secured to said downwardly projecting rim flange.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from an examination of the succeeding specification when read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the cotnainer of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side view of two containers of the present invention in interlocking relationship, with portions cut away and shown in section;

FIGURE 2a is a partial exploded sectional view of a portion of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a plurality of containers of the present invention in stacked and interlocked relationship;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of a plurality of cotnainer bodies of the present invention in nested relationship; and

FIGURES 5 and 6 are perspective views of alternate embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the container of the persent invention is shown generally at 10 and comprises a lower bowl-like body portion 11 and an upper cover 12. The body portion has a generally square base 13 and a generally octagonal open mouth 14 larger than the base. Since the base 13 is generally square and smaller in dimension than the octagonal mouth 14, all sides of the body portion slope inwardly toward the base.

The body portion 11 has side walls 15 which diverge slightly from base 13 toward open mouth 14. A plurality of protuberances 16 are adjacent base 13 defining a plurality of grooves 17 (shown clearly in FIGURE 2).

Preferably, the side walls 15 immediately adjacent base 13 alternate first trapezoidal side walls 18 and triangular side walls 19, with a total of four of said first trapezoidal side walls 18 and four of said triangular side walls 19. Immediately above and adjacent to first trapezoidal side walls 18 and triangular side walls 19 are alternate essentially rectangular side walls 20 and second trapezoidal side walls 21, with a total of four rectangular side walls 20 and four second trapezoidal side walls 21.

Thus, it can be seen that at the four corners of the side walls 15 adjacent base 13, triangular panels 19 make the transition from square to octagonal, leaving the four side panels 20 essentially rectangular. It should be understood that this is simply a preferred embodiment and the exact dimensions of the side walls may be varied within the broad concept of the present invention.

The body portion also contains a rim 22 having a downwardly projecting flange 23. The rim 22 preferably circumscribes the open mouth. Naturally, the rim may be continuous as shown or discontinuous. Flange 23 is adapted to interfit grooves 17 as clearly shown in FIGURE 2. The rim 22 also provides means for stiffening the shape of the container and also becomes a convenient handle.

The container of the present invention also includes a generally octagonal cover 12 adapted to be secured to said open mouth. Cover 12 has a downwardly projecting annular peripheral portion 24 adapted to be firmly secured to flange 23 as shown clearly in FIGURE 2. As can be seen in FIGURE 2, the container of the present invention is designed to receive cover 12 so that the closed and filled container may be inverted without difiiculty.

As shown in the drawings, the body portion 11 preferably contains four of said protuberances 16. Naturally, one may use a single continuous annular protuberance or leg instead of a plurality of protuberances as shown in the drawings. In addition, one may utilize more than four of said protuberances in order to provide additional stability. The protuberances 16 are preferably integral with said first trapezoidal side walls 18 as shown in the drawings.

The containers 10 are designed to stack side-by-side, with every other container being inverted as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. The filled containers are adapted to be assembled in interlocked relationship when covered by inverting alternate containers as shown and interfitting rim fiange 23 into grooves 17. Thus, there is provided an extremely secure stack up relationship of filled containers as shown clearly in FIGURE 3. The secured cover 12 enables the container to be readily inverted withoutdifiiculty.

The containers of the present invention are adapted to be nested when empty as shown in FIGURE 4 which shows the plurality of body portions 11 in the nested relationship. Naturally, the covers may be stacked and nested separately.

From the foregoing discussion it can be clearly seen that the containers of the present invention contain numerous highly advantageous features. Thus, the containers of the present invention are readily stacked when filled and covered with a minimum of waste space for storage or shipment. The containers will easily nest when empty in order to provide economical reshipment and reuse. It can be seen that the containers of the present invention are convenient to use in the field, in transportation and in a store and eliminate the handling of produce once packed in the container until removed by the customer or the store.

Furthermore, the container of the present invention is eminently suitable for display purposes in the store itself in that it is attractive as well as functional. The container of the present invention is nearly spherical in shape for economy of material but with flat planes for stability.

Additional highly advantageous features of the present invention are that it may be readily and economically fabricated, it may be readily sealed, insulated and vented as required, it may be readily cleaned, it is highly durable and able to stand up under repeated use, and it will discourage pilferage.

As can be readily appreciated, the container of the present invention is susceptible to numerous variations. The container may be ribbed and/or perforated for materials that require ventilation. Thus, as shown in FIG- URE 5, the container may be made from expanded metal stock 25 or as shown in FIGURE 6, drain holes 26 or ventgholes 27 may be provided. A soft liner may be added to the container where bruising is a problem. The container may be insulated and refrigerated or maintained at a constant temperature. A sealed cover may be provided to handle liquids or particles as well as fresh produce.

The shape of the container may be modified within the broad concept of the present invention. The size of the container may be related'to its use so that it may be either large or small.

The container of the present invention may be readily fabricated from a wide variety of materials. Because of the desirability of stacking the containers, it is preferred that a relatively rigid material be used. In view of the desirability of light weight, durability and cleanability, aluminum or its alloys is preferred. Other materials may be readily employed, such as plastics or other metals.

What is claimed is:

1. A container adapted to hold a product including:

(A) a body portion having a generally square base, a

generally octagonal open mouth larger than said base and side walls which diverge slightly from said base toward said open mouth, said body portion including a protuberance adjacent said base defining a groove, and a rim circumscribing said open mouth, said rim having a downwardly projecting flange adapted to interfit said groove;

(B) a generally octagonal cover adapted to be secured to said open mouth; and

(C) a plurality of said containers being adapted to be nested when empty and a plurality of said containers being adapted to be assembled in interlocking relations-hip when covered.

2. A container adapted to hold a product including:

(A) a body portion having a generally square base, a generally octagonal open mouth larger than said base, side walls which diverge slightly from said base toward said open mouth, a plurality of protuberances adjacent said base defining a plurality of grooves, a rim circumscribing said open mouth, said rim having a downwardly projecting flange adapted to interfit said grooves;

(B) a generally octagonal cover having a downwardly projecting annular peripheral portion adapted to be firmly secured to said downwardly projecting rim flange; and

(C) a plurality of said containers being adapted to be nested when empty and a plurality of said containers being adapted to be assembled in interlocking relationship when covered by inverting alternate containers and interfitting said rim flange and said grooves.

3. A container according to claim 2 wherein said body portion includes four essentially rectangular side walls, four trapezoidal side walls and four triangular side wall portions adjacent said base.

4. A container according to claim 2 wherein said body portion includes:

(A) adjacent said base, alternate first trapezoidal side walls and triangular side walls, with a total of four of each; and

(B) adjacent said first trapezoidal side Walls and said triangular side walls, alternate essentially rectangular side walls and second trapezoidal side walls, with a total of four of each.

5. A container according to claim 4 wherein said body portion contains four of said protuberances, with each protuberance being integral with one of said first trapezoidal side walls.

6. A container according to claim 2 including drain holes communicating with the interior of said body portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 196,392 9/1963 Politis D92l9 3,240,408 3/1966 Lapansie 22023.4 X 3,343,670 9/1967 Stephan 206 3,353,665 11/ 1967 I-Wanski 206-65 GEORGE E. LOWRANCE, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

